Bradford Bulls coach Brian Noble reckons the Tetley's Super League is tougher than ever this season.

With six matches played, every team has lost at least once and each team has won at least once.

Wigan have lost half of their matches, and promoted Widnes have triumphed in half of theirs.

Even Wakefield, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, have won twice and are third from bottom.

Noble, who replaced Matthew Elliot before the start of the 2001 season, says: "Who would have thought that Wigan would have lost three games?

"Who would have thought that we would have lost a titanic struggle 15-14 at London?

"St Helens and Leeds are in the ascendancy again, Widnes are capable of knocking teams off, Halifax are winning at times and Salford have won a couple.

"The under-achievers at the moment are Warrington, who were beaten by Wakefield at the weekend.

"That is no disrespect to Wakefield, but it just shows you that if you under prepare in any shape or form, then you are going to be beaten.

"Super League is genuinely tougher than it was last year."

Hull are well in the hunt for a play-off berth, and Castleford and London will also be pushing for a place in the extended end-of-season six-team showdown.